DNR NEWS — FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 5, 2001
For more information, contact Tim Goeman, DNR Fisheries – Brainerd, (218) 828-2256, or
Ron Payer, DNR Fisheries – St. Paul, (651) 297-4098.
Harvest regulations to be liberalized on Mille Lacs
Lake Mille Lacs anglers will soon be able to keep walleye between 14 inches and 18 inches, with one walleye over 28 inches in their possession limit, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) announced today. The winter regulation is intended to be in place by Dec. 1, 2001.
The DNR has determined that the current regulations can be liberalized to allow anglers to keep more fish during the winter fishing season, according to Ron Payer, DNR Fisheries Division director.
”We are committed to complying with the harvest quotas while doing the best we can to provide a quality fishing experience for Mille Lacs anglers,” Payer said. “We are pleased to see that such a liberalization of the regulations is possible as we go into the winter fishing season on Mille Lacs.”
Federal courts have ruled since 1994 that the state must share fish and game in the 1837 Treaty ceded territory with eight Chippewa Indian bands. To ensure the health of the Lake Mille Lacs walleye fishery, the DNR has managed the yearly walleye harvest so that it does not exceed the safe harvest estimate as provided by the court order.
The 2001 Mille Lacs walleye fishing season began with a harvest slot of 16 to 20 inches, with one walleye over 28 inches allowed. Walleye fishing was so good during the first three weeks of the season, however, the DNR had to tighten the harvest slot to 16 to 18 inches so that anglers would not exceed the walleye harvest quota. The agency also changed the provision allowing the harvest of one walleye 28 inches or larger, which could have accounted for up to 9,000 additional pounds of harvested walleye, to a one-over-30-inch provision that allows for a once-in-a-lifetime fish. Harvest then slowed as projected under these new regulations. Because of this regulation change, the total walleye harvest stayed below the target for the 2001 fishing season.
Anglers should always check public access signs, bait shops and resorts to find out the current regulations, or call the DNR Information Center at (651) 296-6157 (Twin Cities metro area) or call toll free 1-888-646-6367, or check the DNR web site at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us.
James Holst
Moving Waters Guide Service
http://www.movingwaters.net